Letters to the Editorhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/feeds/24
enLETTER: Dear Council Membershttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/02/23/letters-editor/letter-dear-council-members
<p>As a resident of north Burien/Highline, I call upon the Burien City Council to secure continuous King County Library Services for the new White Center Library, the Boulevard Park Library and the current White Center Library, until replaced. </p>
<p> Inasmuch as the location of the new White Center Library places it within unincorporated King County and with the apparent intention of Seattle to annex that area, an agreement with KCLS as to the disposition of the assets and services of these libraries, now within Burien jurisdiction, needs to be established. All of Burien, especially those living in North Burien, have a right to expect the benefits of KCLS services that have been important to the well-being of nearby communities and have been supported continuously by a dedicated property tax. </p>
<p> In 2004, a Bond issue providing for the new Burien Library also included a new 10,000 sq. ft. library for White Center and upgrades to the Boulevard Park library. Any agreement with Seattle going forward needs to address the loss of any library assets to the City to Burien and to Burien taxpayers, who have been paying in good faith for the Bond promises.<br />
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<p> In my view, the importance of a library is its physical manifestation of past, present and future aspirations of individuals and a community. It is the extension of learning opportunities from infancy to old age. It needs to be a safe, accessible, welcoming place for all. Its governance needs to be participatory, transparent, accountable and have stable financial support.</p>
<p> Thank you for your attention,<br />
Rachael Levine<br />
Burien, Wa 98168 <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorTue, 24 Feb 2015 02:19:50 +0000htweb247631 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Look at the Biblehttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/02/17/letters-editor/letter-look-bible
<p>To the editor:<br />
World events are becoming increasingly dire. ISIS decapitates Americans…Obama issues comments and plays golf..ISIS burns a captured Jordanian pilot alive…King Abdullah cuts his visit to DC short, flies home, then orders the execution of two ISIS prisoners, with more to follow and as of today 56 airstrikes on ISIS targets…In WWII, Gen. George Patton, commander of the US 3rd Army enroute to Berlin hopefully before the Russians, issues an order that if any of Hitler’s Waffen SS troops are encountered, they are to be shot, no prisoners taken. We live in a fantasy land of same sex marriage, “Black Lives Matter Protests (except of course the millions of black babies killed by abortion which doesn’t seem to matter to the marchers), …$15/hr min wage/income redistribution/class warfare..manmade climate change/environmentalism..open borders/illegals swarming across the southern border..the infestation of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Obama administration/can’t mention radical Islam and terror in the same sentence/paragraph..interference in the Egyptian and Israeli election process..purging of high level military officers by Obama..anti Christian/pro Muslim statements for the last six years..the desire to close Gitmo..releasing terrorists back to their home turf..I suggest you all go see “American Sniper” and /or read the book to get an idea of the danger over there and over here…also go look at “thereligionofpeace.com” and “actforamerica.org” and for an actual divine interference.. look at the Bible and the books of Isaiah 37:36 and 2 Kings 19:35 (same Incident) that could happen to ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab, Al-Quaida etc..food for thought…just wake up..</p>
<p>Phil Stanat<br />
Des Moines, WA 98198<br />
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Letters to the EditorTue, 17 Feb 2015 18:38:50 +0000htweb247552 at http://www.highlinetimes.comTo the editor: Citizens of SeaTac Are NOT Getting What They’re Paying Forhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/02/16/letters-editor/editor-citizens-seatac-are-not-getting-
<p>Last night’s “performance” at the SeaTac Council Meeting was yet another example that some of our Council Members are NOT taking care of City business at our Council Meetings. We need to hold the offenders’ feet to the fire … they supposedly are working for us, and we are paying them to do so.</p>
<p>Firstly, once again Council Member Tony Anderson participated in the meeting via<br />
telephone. He has not physically attended a Council Meeting for many weeks, but he continues to create a technology distraction for those who do attend with irritating microphone squeals, audible background noises and poorly timed comments. He stated last night that his repeated absences have been a result of him having to fill in as an instructor for some class that one of his colleagues has been unable to lead. This suggests that Mr. Anderson is an employee elsewhere and is being paid to perform this conflicting duty while he concurrently is being paid to attend our regularly scheduled Council Meetings.</p>
<p>If he is unable to perform his latter obligation for an extended time, he should terminate his duties with the City of SeaTac.<br />
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<p>Secondly, Mia Gregerson, one of our 33rd Legislative Representatives in Olympia also is concurrently our unelected City Mayor (and yes, she receives “extra” pay for being appointed to this position while also receiving the full pay, per diem and expense reimbursements of a full-time legislator in Olympia). It was no coincidence last night that Council Member Ladenburg was used as a shill to<br />
introduce an initiative stating that our SeaTac Council Members oppose a bill in our State Senate that conflicts with SeaTac’s $15/hr. law. This is a WASHINGTON STATE bill. Citizens should let their representatives in Olympia know how they think on such issues, but these state issues have nothing to do with the City of SeaTac’s business.</p>
<p>So, you may wonder why I called Mr. Ladenburg a shill. He knew almost nothing about the Senate bill when he proposed his initiative, and looked to Ms. Gregerson for clarification on both its name and content. It was obvious that his move was a last minute request that he agreed to perform. All Ms. Gregerson has to do if she opposes this conflicting legislation as one of our 33rd Representatives is to<br />
vote “no” if this bill makes it to the House for a vote. In addition, our City pays for a lobbyist in Olympia whose job it is to try to get other lawmakers to vote in our best interest. So why were we discussing this at a City Council Meeting?</p>
<p>Vick Lockwood <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorMon, 16 Feb 2015 18:42:44 +0000htweb247548 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Citizens of SeaTac Are NOT Getting What They’re Paying For http://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/02/11/letters-editor/letter-citizens-seatac-are-not-getting-
<p>SeaTac Citizens,</p>
<p>Last night’s “performance” at the SeaTac Council Meeting was yet another example that some of our Council Members are NOT taking care of City business at our Council Meetings. We need to hold the offenders’ feet to the fire … they supposedly are working for us, and we are paying them to do so.</p>
<p>Firstly, once again Council Member Tony Anderson participated in the meeting via telephone. He has not physically attended a Council Meeting for many weeks, but he continues to create a technology distraction for those who do attend with irritating microphone squeals, audible background noises and poorly timed comments. He stated last night that his repeated absences have been a result of him having to fill in as an instructor for some class that one of his colleagues has been unable to lead. This suggests that Mr. Anderson is an employee elsewhere and is being paid to perform this conflicting duty while he concurrently is being paid to attend our regularly scheduled Council Meetings. If he is unable to perform his latter obligation for an extended time, he should terminate his duties with the City of SeaTac.<br />
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<p>Secondly, Mia Gregerson, one of our 33rd Legislative Representatives in Olympia also is concurrently our unelected City Mayor (and yes, she receives “extra” pay for being appointed to this position while also receiving the full pay, per diem and expense reimbursements of a full-time legislator in Olympia). It was no coincidence last night that Council Member Ladenburg was used as a shill to introduce an initiative stating that our SeaTac Council Members oppose a bill in our State Senate that conflicts with SeaTac’s $15/hr. law. This is a WASHINGTON STATE bill. Citizens should let their representatives in Olympia know how they think on such issues, but these state issues have nothing to do with the City of SeaTac’s business. </p>
<p>So, you may wonder why I called Mr. Ladenburg a shill. He knew almost nothing about the Senate bill when he proposed his initiative, and looked to Ms. Gregerson for clarification on both its name and content. It was obvious that his move was a last minute request that he agreed to perform. All Ms. Gregerson has to do if she opposes this conflicting legislation as one of our 33rd Representatives is to vote “no” if this bill makes it to the House for a vote. In addition, our City pays for a lobbyist in Olympia whose job it is to try to get other lawmakers to vote in our best interest. So why were we discussing this at a City Council Meeting? I believe the ulterior motive for this “surprise new business” last night was so Ms. Gregerson, a junior legislator, could validate to her peers in Olympia that she is more powerful and influential than the other junior legislators and that the veterans had better pay more attention to her and treat her with more respect. I believe the impetus for the initiative was solely to pad Ms. Gregerson’s political resume in her attempt to get on the fast track of her political ladder.</p>
<p>I beg you fellow citizens of SeaTac to hold these Council Members accountable for their actions (or lack thereof). They work for you!</p>
<p>Vick Lockwood<br />
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Letters to the EditorWed, 11 Feb 2015 21:00:57 +0000htweb247512 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Don't infringe on my rightshttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/02/02/letters-editor/letter-dont-infringe-my-rights
<p>I take a regular walk from my home on S.W. 185th in Normandy Park and walk north toward Burien until I reach 5 Corners and then I turn around and walk back home. It's about 3 miles. Right now there is a re-vote on a Highline School District #401 bond issues Proposition's 1 and 2. Now on my walk I see signs for both "Yes on Prop. 1 and 2" and "No on Prop. 1 and 2". These signs were up and down that stretch of 1st Ave. S/S.W. and on both sides of the road. They would be placed side by side, one not crowding or obscuring the other and peace reigned. Well apparently not for some individual who didn't agree with some people's 1st Amendment right to place a sign that said "Vote No on Propositions 1 and 2" along 1st Avenue. They tore up, knocked down and destroyed, and/or threw these signs over an embankment that runs along the west side of 1st Avenue S.W. They, of course, didn't touch any of the "Vote Yes for Propositions 1 and 2" signs. My fellow Americans, this is an example a very poor citizenship and lack of respect for other points of view. Vote how ever you like but don't infringe on my rights or the rights of others. signed: Richard B. Ellenberger, 149 S.W. 185th, Normandy Park, WA 98166, 206-293-2770 <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorMon, 02 Feb 2015 16:33:52 +0000htweb247387 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: OH, REALLY??http://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/26/letters-editor/letter-oh-really
<p>The Monday after the sensational Seahawks NFC Championship win, several radio stations chose to use the same word to describe this event. And the Seattle Times used this word as their giant front page headline: MIRACLE! Oh, really? This was not an event that contradicts scientific law or definitely not an act of God! This does not equate to Jesus turning water into wine. Using this perspective does not give the Seahawks players and coaches any credit for this unbelievable comeback and win, taking us into the Super Bowl, 2 years in a row. Jerry Brewer hit the nail on the head: ‘Improbable rally defines a Seattle team that never gives up’. BINGO. It was simply pure determination, absolute focus and blood and guts from this incredible team – with their diehard fans right with them for every step, blow, and pass. As Russell’s pass floated in the air, on its way into Jermaine’s hands, the fans knew already that the team that they loved so dearly was headed to the Super Bowl! By the way, does anyone have a link to Jesus (email, Twitter, cell#)? We will need lots more wine when the Seahawks win the Super Bowl again on Feb 1st.</p>
<p><strong>David S.Gooding<br />
Normandy Park</strong><br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 26 Jan 2015 16:48:22 +0000htweb247336 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Where will the money come from?http://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/19/letters-editor/letter-where-will-money-come
<p><strong>To the editor:</strong><br />
It is important that the citizens of the Highline School District understand<br />
the enormous commitment they are being asked to make by the Highline<br />
School District Board on February 10th. For this reason, Karen Steele,<br />
Normandy Park resident, founded an educational committee called<br />
Sensible Spending on Our Schools (SSOS). She feels that every citizen<br />
should know the breadth and scope of this Bond and its effect on their<br />
lives.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Lois Schipper, President of Highline Citizens for Schools, in<br />
an attempt to quash the opposition to the Highline School Consruction<br />
Bond, felt compelled to file a complaint with the Public Disclosure<br />
Commission (PDC). Lois Schipper claims that the proper paperwork was<br />
not filed with the PDC. However, contrary to Lois Schipper's notions, Karen<br />
Steele assures that all necessary paperwork has been filed with the<br />
appropriate agencies and that nothing illegal or improper has occurred. And<br />
while the PDC is doing it's duty and looking into Lois's complaint, SSOS<br />
has not been charged with any wrong doing.</p>
<p>In August 2014, when Sensible Spending on Our Schools was founded and<br />
the PDC was contacted, Karen Steele was directed to file with the<br />
Department of Revenue. A separate account was opened at Chase Bank<br />
in Burien and every transaction has been recorded and documented and all<br />
expenditures accounted for.<br />
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<p>Lois Schipper is mortified that anyone would dare oppose the Highline<br />
School Construction Bond. The fact that they have raised over $200,000,<br />
are calling voters even 3 times a day pestering them to vote yes and<br />
mailing out copious amounts of brochures and advertisements to voters,<br />
substantiates her view that voters should not have a difference of<br />
opinion. Karen Steele says that this is not North Korea; we enjoy our First<br />
Amendment right of Freedom of Speech and every voter has the right to<br />
vote as they wish.</p>
<p>The Highline School District Bond was Proposition 1 in the November 2014<br />
election and did not obtain the necessary votes to pass. In the February<br />
10th, 2015 election, it is Proposition 2. Is this to confuse the voters? It is<br />
the same Bond as before, less 9 million dollars or 376 million dollars and even though the voters have turned it down, the Highline School District<br />
Board has ignored this and has put it back on the ballot only 3 short months<br />
later..</p>
<p>Susan Enfield, Highline School Superintendent, has declared that she will<br />
put it back on the ballot until it passes. Unfortunately, the Highline School<br />
District Board has not listened to the voters. The voters have asked for<br />
input regarding the contents of the bond but the Highline School District<br />
has ignored this request. Now, there are desperate attempts by the HSDB<br />
to hold meetings to explain the bond but this should have occurred before<br />
the bond was placed back on the ballot, not after. Also on the ballot is the<br />
Maintenance and Operations (M &amp; O) Levy which is asking for $170 million<br />
over 3 years down from 4 years for our previous Levy. This is a 22%<br />
increase over the previous levy. Together with the school bond, the total is<br />
546 million dollars and that is just to start with. There are two previous<br />
bonds that we still haven't paid off. In the year 2035, the total amount paid<br />
for these bonds will be over 1 Billion Dollars.</p>
<p>This bond is more expensive than the citizens of Highline can afford. And<br />
yet, Susan Enfield has promised that in 3 years or so, another bond will be<br />
presented for us to fund. Where is all this money supposed to come from?<br />
In addition, Dow Constantine and Jim McDermott are planning on asking<br />
the citizens to pay for a new Light Rail System to Burien next year. Then<br />
there is the plan to ask the citizens for money to fund schooling for children<br />
in a program called Cradle Through College. Our Police are also going to<br />
seek funding for a new radio system throughout King County for a system<br />
that is sorely in need of updating. If the Initiative 1351, which calls for a<br />
reduction in class size and was approved by the voters last year gets<br />
funded to the tune of $5 Billion, what will happen to the schools that the<br />
Highline School Board wants to build? The class sizes will be cut in half<br />
but where will they put the additional classes and who is going to pay for<br />
the additional teachers?</p>
<p>Just where is all this money going to come from? Yes, you guessed it. The<br />
voters.</p>
<p>We must send a clear message with our votes that this Bond is not<br />
acceptable and we can't afford it. We have a voice and we have freedom of<br />
speech. We must speak out and stop this money grab. And then there is the maintenance of the new schools should they get built.</p>
<p>The maintenance department at Highline was reduced to 28 employees<br />
from 53 and the schools have suffered because of this. In speaking to a<br />
maintenance person who works at Highline, they said that the pile of<br />
requisitions on their desk far exceeds their ability to fix the problems. If the<br />
maintenance of the existing schools borders on neglect, than what will<br />
happen with the new schools which will have their own set of problems as<br />
new construction so often does? Will the HSDB come to the voters once<br />
again asking for yet more money to maintain the schools?</p>
<p>The Highline School District Board has a vast staff of 37, all of whom are<br />
paid over $100,000 per year. They have Directors and Assistants who are<br />
also all paid very high salaries. Even the teachers don't make $100,000 per<br />
year. There has been no effort on the part of HSDB to curtail expenditures<br />
and reign in their budgets. It is no wonder that the citizens of the Highline<br />
School District have lost faith in the ability of the HSD Board to effectively<br />
manage the citizens' hard earned dollars.</p>
<p>Even in the round robin of meetings taking place right now, the School<br />
Board dominates the discussions and there is little input from the citizenry<br />
that attend. And while the discussion is directed around the children, it<br />
does not get centered around why the citizens, who show up at these<br />
meetings, have no input into the composition of the bond.. It is as if the<br />
Highline School District is trying to show that they are catering to the<br />
citizens when in fact, it is nothing more than a photo op to make it appear<br />
as if they care.</p>
<p>The Highline School District Board has got to open their ears and their eyes<br />
to the fact that the citizens of Highline will not be played. We are not<br />
pawns on their over populated play board to be manipulated and told half<br />
truths and moved along to a result that we don't want.</p>
<p>What we want is a school bond that we can afford; we want remedies that<br />
are based on common sense and decisions based on sound economic<br />
principles, not some pie in the sky wish list of expensive over the top<br />
buildings and a slush fund to satisfy the voracious appetite of this School<br />
Board. I urge every Highline citizen to vote NO. Not voting is not a no vote.<br />
Putting a check next to REJECT on your ballot is a NO vote. Mail your<br />
ballots early and let your voices be heard!</p>
<p> Karen Steele<br />
SSOS<br />
17837 1st. Ave. So., #276<br />
Normandy Park, WA 98148<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 19 Jan 2015 17:35:28 +0000htweb247245 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Dear Highline Community:http://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/19/letters-editor/letter-dear-highline-community
<p>As your elected school board, we are concerned about the recent repetition of<br />
misinformation and misstatements of fact regarding school district budgeting and operations. We want to give you the facts on two frequently repeated, but inaccurate statements.</p>
<p>Superintendent’s salary.” The school board’s most important job is to hire an excellent superintendent, and we take this responsibility very seriously. In 2012, the school board launched a national search for a new superintendent and selected Susan Enfield as the best person to lead our schools. We chose a leader who is highly respected in her field and recognized as an outstanding education leader on regional, statewide, and national levels. We made the right choice for Highline, and we remain as supportive of Dr. Enfield today as when we hired<br />
her.</p>
<p>Superintendent Enfield was hired at a salary of $220,000 per year. Dr. Enfield did not receive a raise at the end of the first or second years of her contact. This year, when her contract was extended to 2017, she was paid $5,000 for extra days worked, and she received a $3,600 annual stipend due to her doctoral degree, a benefit afforded to all administrators with doctoral degrees. This salary is in line with other school districts in the Puget Sound region. I want to state for the record that the school board has never considered nor approved a $75,000<br />
pay raise for Dr. Enfield. Last year, a reporting error resulted in a much-inflated salary figure appearing on a document posted on a state website. This led to a news story naming Dr. Enfield as the top-paid superintendent in the state—a story that was inaccurate and has since been corrected by the news organization that reported it. District communications.' The school district’s communications budget, identified by state reporting codes as “Public Relations,” funds a comprehensive effort to engage and inform families and community members about our schools. This budget pays for the district’s website, community meetings, emergency notification system (Robocall, text, and email),<br />
informational materials for students and parents (and translation into the many languages spoken in our district), online tools for parents and students, and annual and quarterly reports mailed to all households in the district, an important tool for holding the district accountable to the public. In the 2014 budget year, this budget received a 13 percent increase to pay for new<br />
communication tools, including the mobile app, which helps parents access school and student information quickly and easily, and a much-improved emergency notification system with text and email capability. There is no automatic annual increase to this budget. In some years it may be increased to pay for communication improvements; in some years it has significantly decreased.<br />
We understand that voters and taxpayers have questions about how public dollars are spent. The school board strives for transparency, and we welcome the opportunity to answer questions about how our schools are funded. We invite all those with questions and concerns to attend our Town Hall meeting or participate in our Telephone Town Hall. Here are the details:<br />
Town Hall Meeting — Thursday, January, 22, 6:00 p.m., Highline High School<br />
Telephone Town Hall - Tuesday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. (All residential phone numbers will be called, and you will be invited to stay on the line to participate.) We thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions and set the record straight.<br />
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<p>Bernie Dorsey, President Highline School Board <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorMon, 19 Jan 2015 17:50:16 +0000htweb247246 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Invitation to participatehttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/05/letters-editor/letter-invitation-participate-1
<p>As the Superintendent of Highline Public Schools and a resident of the Highline community, I feel compelled to write this open letter. I am grateful to those of you who supported our bond measure last month, which fell just short of the 60% supermajority needed for passage. For those of you who opposed the bond, I also appreciate that you took the time and effort to engage in the democratic process and express your views.</p>
<p>On December 17, the School Board approved placing another bond proposal on the February 10, 2015 ballot. We are taking this step because in order to best educate our children, we must replace aging buildings and relieve the crowding in our schools. The proposal includes some savings gained from, among other things, eliminating the need for middle school interim sites, thus ensuring that our middle school students will not have two transitions during their middle school years.</p>
<p>As we move forward we will engage in a community-wide conversation about this bond proposal, including multiple opportunities at schools and in the community to hear your concerns and answer your questions. During the last election there were significant inaccuracies and misstatements shared by those in opposition to the bond, and I welcome the opportunity to correct those errors.<br />
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<p>I extend an invitation to all community members to engage in a conversation with me, Highline Public Schools Board members, and staff about how we will provide safe, up-to-date schools for our students and staff. We will be inviting those who opposed the bond in November to participate in these meetings so that we can have an open, public dialogue on these issues. Our first meeting will be in early January and we will post all the information on our website at Highlineschools.org.</p>
<p>I especially want to invite those who opposed the bond to participate in these public conversations so that we may hear and respond to your concerns. I strongly believe that we as adults must model for our children and young people what it means to be informed, engaged citizens and how to participate in the democratic process responsibly and respectfully.</p>
<p>Together we will build a better, stronger, Highline Public Schools—and deliver on our promise of knowing every student by name, strength and need.</p>
<p>Susan Enfield<br />
Superintendent, Highline Public Schools<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 05 Jan 2015 16:43:06 +0000htweb247041 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: A Sea-Tac Residenthttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/05/letters-editor/letter-sea-tac-resident
<p>After perusing this edition, I noticed that there was not a single item regarding the <strong>City of SeaTac</strong>, my hometown. Not even a single photograph. There was a photo of a Burien businessman at the old Zoopa restaurant in Southcenter, which is in Tukwila. As a matter of fact, all the photos in the Highline Times Des Moines News SeaTac News were of Burien, except the global picture of the Des Moines Marina. Did <strong>SeaTac</strong> not exist for your end of year edition? Nothing noteworthy occured in <strong>SeaTac</strong>? Surely there were some photos of happenings in<strong> SeaTac</strong> somewhere in your archives. Like the new <strong>Waterworks at Angle Lake</strong> <strong>Park</strong>, the new <strong>Sound Transit ligthrail</strong> construction from the SeaTac airport south to S 200th St and International boulevard, the annual <strong>SeaTac International Festival</strong> and the new <strong>4th of July Fireworks/Carnival</strong>. Our <strong>City Council</strong> has it's contentious moments, too. There was a photo of a business in Fremont included in the Ballard News-Tribune, as well as of the city of Seattle. The West Seattle Herald included a photo of a fire in White Center, fireworks over Lake Union and a scenic view of downtown Seattle's waterfront, besides photos of West Seattle happenings. <strong> Where is SeaTac??</strong>?<br />
G Kellogg, SeaTac Resident</p>
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<p><strong>RE: Letters to the Editor - Re: January 2, 2015 edition<br />
</strong><br />
Hi Geraldine,<br />
I really do appreciate your letter. Your question is a fair one. The answer is that we have not had the staff or or the touchstones in SeaTac to provide coverage that represents the area. We operate mostly with stringers (part-time freelancers) for most news coverage. We had some covering city hall last year. She defected. I have asked a different stringer to take on coverage in this area. I promise we will notice SeaTac in 2015.</p>
<p>Thanks for reminding us you are there.</p>
<p>Ken</p>
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Letters to the EditorMon, 05 Jan 2015 18:11:46 +0000htweb247047 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Invitation to participatehttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/05/letters-editor/letter-invitation-participate
<p>As the Superintendent of Highline Public Schools and a resident of the Highline community, I feel compelled to write this open letter. I am grateful to those of you who supported our bond measure last month, which fell just short of the 60% supermajority needed for passage. For those of you who opposed the bond, I also appreciate that you took the time and effort to engage in the democratic process and express your views.</p>
<p>On December 17, the School Board approved placing another bond proposal on the February 10, 2015 ballot. We are taking this step because in order to best educate our children, we must replace aging buildings and relieve the crowding in our schools. The proposal includes some savings gained from, among other things, eliminating the need for middle school interim sites, thus ensuring that our middle school students will not have two transitions during their middle school years.</p>
<p>As we move forward we will engage in a community-wide conversation about this bond<br />
proposal, including multiple opportunities at schools and in the community to hear your concerns and answer your questions. During the last election there were significant inaccuracies and misstatements shared by those in opposition to the bond, and I welcome the opportunity to correct those errors.<br />
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<p>I extend an invitation to all community members to engage in a conversation with me, Highline Public Schools Board members, and staff about how we will provide safe, up-to-date schools for our students and staff. We will be inviting those who opposed the bond in November to participate in these meetings so that we can have an open, public dialogue on these issues. Our first meeting will be in early January and we will post all the information on our website at Highlineschools.org.</p>
<p>I especially want to invite those who opposed the bond to participate in these public conversations so that we may hear and respond to your concerns. I strongly believe that we as adults must model for our children and young people what it means to be informed, engaged citizens and how to participate in the democratic process responsibly and respectfully.</p>
<p>Together we will build a better, stronger, Highline Public Schools—and deliver on our promise of knowing every student by name, strength and need.</p>
<p>Susan Enfield<br />
Superintendent, Highline Public Schools<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 05 Jan 2015 16:42:59 +0000htweb247039 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Invitation to participatehttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2015/01/05/letters-editor/letter-invitation-participate-0
<p>As the Superintendent of Highline Public Schools and a resident of the Highline community, I feel compelled to write this open letter. I am grateful to those of you who supported our bond measure last month, which fell just short of the 60% supermajority needed for passage. For those of you who opposed the bond, I also appreciate that you took the time and effort to engage in the democratic process and express your views.</p>
<p>On December 17, the School Board approved placing another bond proposal on the February 10, 2015 ballot. We are taking this step because in order to best educate our children, we must replace aging buildings and relieve the crowding in our schools. The proposal includes some savings gained from, among other things, eliminating the need for middle school interim sites, thus ensuring that our middle school students will not have two transitions during their middle school years.</p>
<p>As we move forward we will engage in a community-wide conversation about this bond<br />
proposal, including multiple opportunities at schools and in the community to hear your concerns and answer your questions. During the last election there were significant inaccuracies and misstatements shared by those in opposition to the bond, and I welcome the opportunity to correct those errors.<br />
<div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_1" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_1");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_1");</script></div></p>
<p>I extend an invitation to all community members to engage in a conversation with me, Highline Public Schools Board members, and staff about how we will provide safe, up-to-date schools for our students and staff. We will be inviting those who opposed the bond in November to participate in these meetings so that we can have an open, public dialogue on these issues. Our first meeting will be in early January and we will post all the information on our website at Highlineschools.org.</p>
<p>I especially want to invite those who opposed the bond to participate in these public conversations so that we may hear and respond to your concerns. I strongly believe that we as adults must model for our children and young people what it means to be informed, engaged citizens and how to participate in the democratic process responsibly and respectfully.</p>
<p>Together we will build a better, stronger, Highline Public Schools—and deliver on our promise of knowing every student by name, strength and need.</p>
<p>Susan Enfield<br />
Superintendent, Highline Public Schools<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 05 Jan 2015 16:43:01 +0000htweb247040 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: An Open Letter to the Citizens of Highlinehttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/12/22/letters-editor/letter-open-letter-citizens-highline
<p>As members of the Highline School Board, we were heartened by our community’s overwhelming display of support in the November election, when more than 59 percent voted in favor of our capital bond measure. While we fell just 215 votes shy of the 60% we needed to gain approval, it is clear that citizens of Highline understand that we are facing major challenges, including severely overcrowded classrooms and aging buildings. Despite the failure of the bond, our challenges remain, and we must come together to solve them.</p>
<p>Since the November election, we have been seeking feedback from citizens across the district. We have heard from thousands of people through our telephone town hall, our online survey, and conversations in coffee shops and grocery stores. We are grateful for your feedback. </p>
<p>The input we have received has been extremely valuable in helping us shape a proposal that is fiscally responsible as well as adequate to address the challenges we face in 2015 and beyond. Wednesday night we decided to place a modified version of the capital construction bond on the February 10 ballot alongside renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations Levy.<br />
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<p>Now we are asking for your support for these two essential measures to ensure that every child enrolled in Highline Public Schools has access to safe, modern buildings and the teachers and tools they need to experience a quality education.</p>
<p>Renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations Levy will provide critical funding for our students. Levy funds pay for basics not fully funded by the state, such as teachers’ salaries, support staff, bus transportation, textbooks, classroom materials, and maintenance of buildings and grounds. The levy makes up 21 percent of our district’s operating budget. Without these funds, our budget would be cut by one-fifth, resulting in lay-offs, reduced services, and a dramatic change in the quality of education our schools could provide. The levy is a renewal of an expiring levy, not a new tax.</p>
<p>Bonds fund capital projects, such as school construction and modernization. By law, they cannot pay for operating schools. The bond on the February ballot would fund capital projects that address two critical challenges facing our community.</p>
<p>First, many students attend school in buildings that are aging, do not meet today’s fire and earthquake codes, and need increasingly expensive repairs. </p>
<p>Second, elementary schools are overcrowded today, and enrollment is growing by several hundred students each year. Additional classrooms are necessary to provide lower class sizes and a high quality education for all students. </p>
<p>The bond would replace our two oldest schools, repair and renovate others, and construct two new schools to provide space for more students and lower class sizes. </p>
<p>If voters approve the $376 million bond, we will receive $78 million in matching funds, stretching our dollars and substantially increasing the return on our investment. The district has an exemplary track record for managing bond funds; every project funded by the past two bonds was completed on time and on budget. </p>
<p>You can learn more by going to <a href="http://www.highlineschools.org" title="www.highlineschools.org">www.highlineschools.org</a> and clicking on levy and bond.</p>
<p>Time and again, citizens of our district have stepped up to meet the needs of our students -- and our needs today could not be greater. Great schools are critical for a prosperous community, and it takes strong local support to make great schools. When you receive your ballot in the mail in February, please don’t forget to vote. Your ballot must be dropped off or postmarked by February 10. </p>
<p>Thank you for your continued commitment to the children of our community.</p>
<p>Highline School Board<br />
Michael Spear, President<br />
Tyrone Curry, Vice-President<br />
Angelica Alvarez<br />
Bernie Dorsey<br />
Susan Goding<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 22 Dec 2014 17:25:46 +0000htweb246956 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Tragedy at Normandy Park City Hallhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/12/22/letters-editor/letter-tragedy-normandy-park-city-hall
<p>What happened at City Hall this week is nothing short of tragic. The public statements from the City are short on detail with the goal to minimize damage to the City’s and Glenn Akromoff’s reputations, but people deserve to know what really happened, so I am offering this personal account of facts and opinion. Four Councilmembers are responsible, and rest of Council and City staff are still reeling at the damage they have done. Waters, Bishoff, Munslow, all Councilmembers with less than one year experience, and former mayor McEvoy, conferred in private to dismiss the City Manager with a motion to be introduced at Tuesday’s Council meeting and a 4-3 vote, with no specification of cause. The best possible outcome was to instead accept an involuntary resignation with severance pay.</p>
<p>There is no plausible explanation for their decision, and I can only attribute the action to their demonstrated and consistent lack of understanding of the functions, policies, and protocol of city government. Glenn was an incredibly smart, honest and thoughtful City Manager, had complete support of the City staff and rest of Council, in just 18 months had returned the City from dire financial conditions to a very secure financial position, and had us well on our way to an exceptional foundation of sound policies and long range plans. Even if these Councilmembers had philosophical differences with his management style, we have a process for performance evaluation to appropriately deal with changes in personnel and succession planning. They bypassed this process and instead left us with no City Manager, no Finance Director (an excellent candidate was to have been offered the position this week), and a Chief of Police now forced to handle much more than he should have to. This was, at best, the irresponsible action of four people, which will have impacts on thousands of people for years to come.</p>
<p>I am truly devastated by the loss of Glenn’s leadership and the very positive, professional changes he was making in Normandy Park. I am deeply concerned about how we move forward from here, and the long term ramifications of this unnecessary action. Reports that I had resigned were, however, completely false and presumptuous. My reaction of shock and dismay in Council Executive Session, or comments akin to, “F--- it, I give up,” in a private conversation in a parking lot do not constitute resignation from elected office. I apologize if anyone was given reason to doubt my commitment due to these rumors. I remain thoroughly dedicated to my responsibility and service to the residents and staff of Normandy Park. As my 13 year old son noted, I’ll just have to work twice as hard now to help fix this.<br />
They say you can’t fix stupid, but now we have to try, and to mitigate the tremendous loss and damage done at the whim of three inexperienced councilmembers and one who ought to have known better.<br />
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<p>Councilmember Stacia Jenkins December 19, 2014 stacia.jenkins@ci.normandy-park.wa.us<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 22 Dec 2014 18:04:55 +0000htweb246961 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Wants fair opportunities from bondhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/12/22/letters-editor/letter-wants-fair-opportunities-bond
<p>I believe parents and community members want what is best for their kids, their neighbor’s kids and their neighborhood schools. Planning a bond to solve district-wide problems, like we are considering now, it is so hard to prioritize with finite funds.</p>
<p>That said, I have some concerns about this current bond proposal, and whether it will address the needs of my neighborhood in the Evergreen service area, and further, whether it will adversely affect Evergreen area neighborhood schools, especially the quality of our high school.</p>
<p>Highline, Tyee and Evergreen are all operating far past their intended lives and need to be rebuilt, and students at all three schools deserve much better. My concern with the Highline High School rebuild proposal, is that if voters approve a new $160 million dollar Highline High School, there will be a deep and stark divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots” among Highline Secondary Schools and neighborhoods.<br />
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<p>Both Highline and Mount Rainier High Schools will have new facilities that can accommodate a wide variety of courses including core classes at different ability levels,…a wide array of fine arts electives like band, orchestra, drama, choir, painting and ceramics,…interesting vocational classes on campus like woodworking, cooking and automotive…and, state of the art athletic facilities.</p>
<p>Evergreen and Tyee small high schools have NONE of that! The Evergreen facility has a persistent rat problem with occasional presents in the classrooms, water damage and black mold causing some teacher health issues, and infrastructure failures.</p>
<p>Most of the Evergreen students are not offered ANY fine arts, and are only offered a couple of electives. Evergreen kids who want to take vocational classes have to get over to the Puget Sound Skill Center and then back to Evergreen for their core classes. The weight room has hand-me down equipment from the YMCA and a dirt patch for an athletic field.</p>
<p>Worst of all, the Highline School District prevents Evergreen and Tyee students from attending either Highline or Mount Rainier traditional high schools! Our families are relegated to choosing from Highline’s 12 themed, small high schools. How equitable is that policy? That means that half of the district’s high school students have to attend worn-out schools and receive bare-boned educations, while the other half will be able to attend state of the art comprehensive high schools and choose from an additional hundred classes unavailable at small high schools.</p>
<p>Yet, Evergreen and Tyee service area citizens are being asked to pay into a $160 million traditional high school rebuild on the one hand, and on the other the district tells us, “Oh no, you can’t have a high school like this.” The total proposed allotment for bond building improvements in the Evergreen service area is $12.5 million for the Evergreen High School Campus…or 3.3% of the bond! I am all for paying my fair share for better schools, but I cannot support an expensive bond that promotes unfair student opportunities and solutions at the expense of my neighborhood.</p>
<p>This bond must spread school improvements to all district areas:<br />
Here is an idea…Evergreen and Tyee are slated to receive improvements to their schools’ inadequate science labs, so why not build stand-alone, state of the art science and technology buildings on each campus. They can then be incorporated into a new school facility in the future rather than renovating classrooms at great expense that will be eventually bulldozed? </p>
<p>(1) Evergreen and Tyee High Schools simply must receive more funds from the $380 million bond. There is close to $100 in non-specified funds proposed in the bond, and each high school should get $25 million.</p>
<p>(2) Both Evergreen and Tyee high schools should receive renovations to improve school health and environments, like new bathrooms, new roofs, improve ventilation and replace leaking pipes.</p>
<p>(3) In addition, build a separate science/technology building at each campus that all students can use and that can be later attached to a new facility. Each high school can conduct science in state of the art science labs, and offer robotics and technology that Mount Rainier, Highline and Aviation High Schools already have.</p>
<p>Half of all Highline District high school students simply cannot be left out of basic science and technology opportunities for another 20 years!</p>
<p>(4) Providing school improvements in all four service areas will generate more bond buy-in around the district. The Evergreen and Tyee service areas have really been left out of this bond and bond discussion. By building a science/technology building on Evergreen and Tyee campuses, we can begin planning for the high schools’ rebuilds down the road rather than another episode of kicking both schools to the curb to address some other “urgent” need. </p>
<p>The current wave of kids will be packing the high schools shortly, and Highline School District must start planning for the process of rebuilding Evergreen and Tyee. Doing nothing now for two of our four high school campuses, and creating unjust and unfair high school opportunities for half of our district in unconscionable. Please, let’s think creatively, and create more equitable solutions within this bond for every Highline student!</p>
<p>Sarah Gengler Dahl <br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 22 Dec 2014 17:44:10 +0000htweb246958 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Exit, the Dragonhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/12/22/letters-editor/letter-exit-dragon
<p>Tonight I and eight other family members left the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien after a wonderful performance of Scrooge by the Burien Dance Company to have dinner at a restaurant that we have frequented for 12+ years. We had 5 kids aged 11, 8, 7, 6 and 6mo.. All who have eaten there many times over the years, they even affectionately named it the Dragon restaurant for all of the golden dragons on the ceiling. As we began our dinner the baby, Nehamiah began to fuss, I held him and tried to feed and comfort him but he is teething also. Needless to say he was having none of that and began to cry very loudly. Now I will admit that Nehamiah has a set of lungs but what happened next was beyond anything I have ever experienced (and that's saying alot). After about 3 minutes of unsuccessfully trying to quiet him I had decided to take him to the restroom but before I could do so our waiter came up to me and asked me to take the baby and leave the restaurant.</p>
<p> I couldn't believe what I had just been asked. It was dark, rainy and windy and I had just been asked to do something wouldn't do to a stray animal let alone a six month old baby. Well, I stood up with Nehamiah walked to the middle of the restaurant and said aloud " I want to apologize for the baby's crying but I have been asked to remove the baby from the restaurant and I will not do that, I will however take him to the restroom". On my way to the restroom I was asked again to take the baby and leave, this time by the owners own daughter! When I got to the restroom I just stood there stunned, then I began to cry. Only my family came and expressed sadness and sorrow. It is unfortunate that no one else felt what had just happened was thoughtless, Scrooge-ish and Grinch-ish. Sadly it reminded me of another little baby boy who was turned out and away long ago. </p>
<p>Now, I want to tell everyone about this little baby boy, Nehamiah, he was born drug addicted, his twin brother Malachi died a week before in-utero, Neamiah spent about 3 mo. in a special medical facility suffering from withdrawal from Methamphetamine use by his biological mother. My niece who is a divorced, full time working single mother raising 3 children of her own (who by the way, witnessed the whole terrible thing) has taken on the responsibility of raising Nehamiah without any help from the biological parents or the state. It is a true selfless act of love, compassion and commitment which she does happily and gratefully. <br />
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<p> Little Neamiah is a survivor, a fighter but still just a baby. Neither he or I meant to offend, so please if you see someone who is struggling, at the very least have patience and tolerance and if you can lend a hand or a few comforting words of encouragement then I believe that the other little baby boy will smile, besides if the Grinch and Scrooge can do it so can we.<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 22 Dec 2014 17:59:16 +0000htweb246960 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Highline Public Schoolshttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/12/22/letters-editor/letter-highline-public-schools
<p>As the Superintendent of Highline Public Schools and a resident of the Highline community, I feel compelled to write this open letter. I am grateful to those of you who supported our bond measure last month, which fell just short of the 60% supermajority needed for passage. For those of you who opposed the bond, I also appreciate that you took the time and effort to engage in the democratic process and express your views. </p>
<p>On December 17, the School Board approved placing another bond proposal on the February 10, 2015 ballot. We are taking this step because in order to best educate our children, we must replace aging buildings and relieve the crowding in our schools. The proposal includes some savings gained from, among other things, eliminating the need for middle school interim sites, thus ensuring that our middle school students will not have two transitions during their middle school years. </p>
<p>As we move forward we will engage in a community-wide conversation about this bond proposal, including multiple opportunities at schools and in the community to hear your concerns and answer your questions. During the last election there were significant inaccuracies and misstatements shared by those in opposition to the bond, and I welcome the opportunity to correct those errors.<br />
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<p>I extend an invitation to all community members to engage in a conversation with me, Highline Public Schools Board members, and staff about how we will provide safe, up-to-date schools for our students and staff. We will be inviting those who opposed the bond in November to participate in these meetings so that we can have an open, public dialogue on these issues. Our first meeting will be in early January and we will post all the information on our website at Highlineschools.org.</p>
<p>I especially want to invite those who opposed the bond to participate in these public conversations so that we may hear and respond to your concerns. I strongly believe that we as adults must model for our children and young people what it means to be informed, engaged citizens and how to participate in the democratic process responsibly and respectfully. </p>
<p>Together we will build a better, stronger, Highline Public Schools—and deliver on our promise of knowing every student by name, strength and need. </p>
<p>Susan Enfield<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 22 Dec 2014 18:10:46 +0000htweb246962 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: What schools really needhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/12/08/letters-editor/letter-what-schools-really-need
<p>To the editor, Highline Times</p>
<p>The recent Highline Public Schools bond to build new schools and replace and repair deteriorating schools failed by a fraction of a percent needed to hit 60% for approval. However, I don't view this failure as a total loss. School officials like Mr. Spear acknowledges that a majority of voters do support the bond measure. And, because this measure was such a close shave (.73% away!), there is no reason a rerun would fail miserably. With that said, there are always<br />
opportunities for improvement. Highline just put up a new community<br />
outreach survey <a href="http://highlineschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;DomainID=4&amp;ModuleInstanceID=2075&amp;ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=8078&amp;PageID=1" title="http://highlineschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;DomainID=4&amp;ModuleInstanceID=2075&amp;ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=8078&amp;PageID=1">http://highlineschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;DomainID=4&amp;Modul...</a><br />
in wake of the bond failure. Now is a good time to tell Highline what<br />
your schools really need. Now is the time to challenge Highline to put<br />
its students first and be good stewards to our community regardless of<br />
where we live. This is Highline's "reassessment" of the standard<br />
"Education;" we reevaluate. Awareness and action puts our schools in a<br />
better position for all students to succeed.<br />
Yours truly,</p>
<p>Bryan Ben Elsea<br />
"Wolverine Aerial Support"<br />
TEC ASB Vice President<br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 08 Dec 2014 18:01:44 +0000htweb246834 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Supporting Proposition 1http://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/30/letters-editor/letter-supporting-proposition-1
<p>Dear Editor:</p>
<p>I am writing to support Proposition 1 bond measure on the ballots of voters in the Des Moines, Normandy Park, Burien, Seatac, White Center, essentially residents in the Highline Public Schools area.</p>
<p>Some of my neighbors would consider my family newcomers since neither my husband nor I were born or raised in this area. However, for the last 25 years we have raised 4 children in our Des Moines home. Those four children include a Washington State University graduate, a University of Hawai`i – Hilo graduate, and a Mount Rainier High School Sophomore and Pacific Middle School 8th grader who attended Des Moines Elementary School. I have spent quite a bit of time on the Des Moines Elementary, Pacific, and Mount Rainier campuses. I’ve also attended a variety of events and activities at Highline, Evergreen, and Tyee campuses. There is no doubt that those schools are in desperate need of repair. The difference between the Mount Rainier campus and the Highline, Evergreen, and Tyee campuses is extraordinary.</p>
<p>Over the past several years, every time community input has been sought regarding our schools, or a bond measure has been discussed and/or proposed, I have learned that the Des Moines and Highline campuses are in such dire need of repair that it is extremely cost prohibitive to simply continue with band-aid repairs, renovation, or adding yet another portable. Our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, teachers, and staff in ALL Highline schools deserve to learn and work in safe and healthy environments with updated technology and arts education equipment and curricula.</p>
<p>We need to celebrate our community growth, but equally important, we need to prepare our schools for continued growth. I urge my neighbors and friends to vote YES with me, vote YES for Highline families, and for our future.</p>
<p>Sincerely,<br />
<strong>Melissa Ponder<br />
Des Moines Resident</strong> <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorThu, 30 Oct 2014 19:10:32 +0000cmenges246513 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: An Open Letter to the Highline Communityhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/29/letters-editor/letter-open-letter-highline-community
<p>Over the past several weeks, “Yes for Schools” signs have been disappearing. Our signs have been removed from major intersections and thoroughfares, especially those posted near “Vote No” signs. </p>
<p>Now someone has removed the “Yes” sign right from my front yard!</p>
<p>Highline Citizens for Schools has not removed or tampered with any bond opponents’ signs. Not only is it unethical, it is a criminal act, punishable by up to 90 days in jail. If you have any information about removal of our signs, we urge you to report it to your local police and/or <a href="mailto:highlinecfs@gmail.com">highlinecfs@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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<p>Not only have bond opponents trespassed on private property to remove signs, their flyers and mass emails are filled with half-truths, distortions, and inaccuracies.</p>
<p>These tactics are a reflection of bond opponents’ values. They play fast and loose with the facts. They have failed to register their campaign with the state, as required by law, though they are posting signs, distributing leaflets, and soliciting campaign contributions. They call themselves “SSOS”, but they are skirting the law and hiding their identities, and thus their agenda. </p>
<p>Debating the issues is healthy; evading the democratic process is not. These individuals have shown they have no respect for the democratic process. They do not represent the best interests of our children and our community.</p>
<p>Don’t be fooled. Vote to approve Prop. 1.</p>
<p><strong>Ken Rogers<br />
Des Moines</strong> <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorWed, 29 Oct 2014 14:46:17 +0000cmenges246496 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Repair or rebuild? http://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/29/letters-editor/letter-repair-or-rebuild
<p>Dear Editor:<br />
This may seem counter intuitive, but it is often cheaper to construct a new building than to continue pouring money into repairs of an old deteriorating structure.</p>
<p>That is certainly the case with nearly 100-year-old schools like Highline High in Burien and Des Moines Elementary, which will be replaced if voters approve Highline Public Schools construction bond measure in November.</p>
<p>As you can imagine, schools built in the 1920s were not built to current fire or earthquake codes. Heating, ventilation and plumbing are also seriously out of date. They also lack the critical electrical capacity to support technology our students need to be prepared for the workplace of today and tomorrow.</p>
<p>Given the limits of the old construction in buildings that have lasted way past their intended lifespans, it might be impossible to make needed repairs at any cost. Continually repairing deteriorating buildings is costly and money now spent on repairs can be invested back into the classroom.</p>
<p>Evergreen in White Center, and Tyee in SeaTac, which face condition challenges but were evaluated by architects and engineers as lower in replacement priority will receive some critical repairs if the bond is approved.</p>
<p>With this bond, local taxpayers’ dollars will also be leveraged to gain additional $78 million in state matching construction funds.</p>
<p>Highline Public Schools has replaced most elementary schools and Mt. Rainier High School in the past decade with each project coming in on time and on budget. The district has delivered on its promises to the voters by being careful with the taxpayers’ money.</p>
<p>Vote Yes in November for the Highline Public Schools construction bond.</p>
<p><strong>Tom Slattery<br />
</strong><br />
Chief Development Officer<br />
Child Care Resources<br />
1225 S Weller, Suite 300<br />
Seattle, WA 98144<br />
206.329.1011 x 207<br />
206.461.3726 Fax<br />
<a href="http://www.childcare.org" title="www.childcare.org">www.childcare.org</a> <div id="gam-holder-highline_story_text_region_slot_2" class="gam-holder"><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-4956332358238235", "highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script><script type="text/javascript">GA_googleFillSlot("highline_story_text_region_slot_2");</script></div></p>
Letters to the EditorWed, 29 Oct 2014 14:41:23 +0000cmenges246494 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Our record speaks for itselfhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/27/letters-editor/letter-our-record-speaks-itself
<p>To the editor:</p>
<p>Change is difficult. As a school board, we know we must do things differently in order to get a different result for our students. We also know not everyone is going to be happy about the changes we make.<br />
Unfortunately some in our community are taking their displeasure about these changes and turning it against November bond.</p>
<p>Several points in the October 20 letter opposing the bond require clarification.<br />
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<p>Cost estimates for construction projects are posted online HYPERLINK "http://www.highlineschools.org/cms/lib07/WA01919413/Centricity/Domain/1062/Bond-cost.pdf" here.</p>
<p>Detailed architectural plans are developed after voters have approved funding, so as not to spend money on plans that may not be used.<br />
All school district financial records are public information and are available to anyone, as required by law.</p>
<p>The ranking of superintendents’ salaries referenced in the October 20 letter is based on inaccurate reporting data, and the HYPERLINK "http://q13fox.com/2013/12/16/high-paid-superintendents-say-property-poor-communities-a-burden-on-education-funding/" news report that made it public has been retracted.</p>
<p>Administrators’ salaries cannot be paid with bond dollars.<br />
Sixty percent of a tenth of your taxes is not equal to 60 percent of your entire tax bill.</p>
<p>The fact is that if the bond does not pass, we are left with a problem that will not go away on its own: crowded classrooms and aging buildings that are compromising our children’s education. Staff has spent the better part of a year examining solutions and has come up with one that represents months of research. Some of the ideas suggested by participants at community meetings were incorporated into our final bond proposal; other ideas were evaluated and eliminated.</p>
<p>Our track record of fiscal responsibility speaks for itself:<br />
All schools built in the last decade were completed on time and on budget.</p>
<p>By refinancing bonds, we have reduced taxpayer debt by nearly $10 million.</p>
<p>By securing matching funds and managing construction dollars well, we generated enough non-bond money to build three additional schools.<br />
We were elected to make hard decisions in the interest of all students. We cannot please all the people all the time, but we stand by this bond proposal as our best effort to fulfill our responsibility to the citizens, and especially the children, of this community.</p>
<p><strong>Highline Public Schools Board of Directors<br />
Michael Spear, President<br />
Tyrone Curry, Vice President<br />
Angelica Alvarez<br />
Bernie Dorsey<br />
Susan Goding</strong><br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 27 Oct 2014 19:17:37 +0000cmenges246469 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Another thing the Highline School District Board does not want you to know.http://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/27/letters-editor/letter-another-thing-highline-school-di
<p>Perhaps some people already know that the Highline School District Board (HSDB) wants to move Des Moines Elementary from its present prime soundview location in downtown Des Moines to the site of Zenith Park (240th and 16th Ave SW). Many do not.</p>
<p>We do not know what would become of the present Des Moines Elementary site (perhaps sold to a developer to build condos) and what would the proceeds of that sale be spent on?<br />
Does anyone question the fact that the major contributors in the support of this Bond are commercial land and real estate developers and construction contractors?<br />
Do all these developers stand to make a financial gain with the passage of this Bond?<br />
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<p>We do not know if Zenith Park is a suitable location because:</p>
<p>Was a feasibility study done?</p>
<p>Was the Department of Fish &amp; Wildlife notified and did they approve of the location?</p>
<p>Was the Department of Ecology notified and did they approve of the location?</p>
<p>Were the home owners in the Zenith Park neighborhood notified that they would lose their Park? Is this okay with them?</p>
<p>Were the home owners in the Zenith Park neighborhood warned of the flooding that could result from such a development?</p>
<p>Were the people who recently purchased homes in the area notified before their home purchase that Zenith Park was going to become the site of a 600 student school if the Bond passed?</p>
<p>Do we know what would happen to the runoff when the forest is clear cut and there is no longer any trees to drink up the rain water and ground water?</p>
<p>What would happen to the wildlife in the forest? In Normandy Park, a housing development was built, called Josephine Park, and there was a flooding issue as well as the relocating of all the coyote who lived in the forest that were there previously. They killed all of the domestic cats in Normandy Park and now roam freely because their habitat was taken away.</p>
<p>What would happen to the ducks, cranes and foxes that call that area home and live on a water way that flows into Massey Creek, which is a protected Salmon habitat?</p>
<p>Would the runoff from the cars and buses servicing the schools and students pollute the surrounding areas and cause hardship?</p>
<p>There are so many unanswered questions; To move a school to another area does not provide a solution because so many other problems could result. There is no indication that any homework has been done and like so much of this Bond that is in seclusion, we, as citizens, are at least owed a detailed explanation of every point mentioned above and more.</p>
<p>The bigger question is why hasn't these facts and answers been provided?</p>
<p><strong>SSOS<br />
Sensible Spending on Our Schools</strong><br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 27 Oct 2014 19:18:37 +0000cmenges246470 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Don't miss this opportunityhttp://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/27/letters-editor/letter-dont-miss-opportunity
<p><strong>By Jack Bermingham<br />
</strong><br />
It is vital for our local communities and their economic development to pass the Highline School District<br />
Bond Measure in order to ensure that schools have the capacity to support students. Invest in safe,<br />
healthy and modern school buildings for all students.<br />
Schools that were excellent in their day are now in dire need of repair. All of our children deserve a<br />
positive learning environment rather than rundown, ill-equipped classrooms.<br />
The School District under the leadership of Susan Enfield has worked hard at forming partnerships to<br />
leverage all possible resources on behalf of students. She has re-invigorated her colleagues in providing<br />
pathways that encourage students to be prepared to take college-level classes when they arrive at<br />
Highline College.<br />
However, Highline School District can only do so much without the financial support from the<br />
communities that it serves. Now is the time to support our schools.<br />
The Highline School District is running out of space for our growing student population and is challenged<br />
by obsolete infrastructure that prevents the use of current technology. The Bond will fund a much<br />
improved physical learning environment.<br />
Highline College benefits from strong collaboration with the school district to make movement between<br />
the schools and the college for our students as seamless as possible. Students are advantaged by<br />
opportunities that are created when the schools and the college function well together.<br />
The District has several effective collaborations with Highline College including: Gateway to College,<br />
Running Start, Achieve, and Drop-Out Recovery. These program’s names may not be familiar in every<br />
household, but their impact on the community remains significant.<br />
Although the Bond Measure does not go directly toward funding our partnership, it supports capacity<br />
and quality for Highline School District. From my experience, Susan Enfield and her team have earned<br />
your support.<br />
Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in the future of our communities and our children. </p>
<p><strong>Jack Bermingham<br />
</strong><em>Dr. Jack Bermingham is president of Highline College. </em><br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 27 Oct 2014 19:14:39 +0000cmenges246467 at http://www.highlinetimes.comLETTER: Washington Voters: Vote NO On I-1351 http://www.highlinetimes.com/2014/10/27/letters-editor/letter-washington-voters-vote-no-i-1351
<p>I-1351 is a deceptive and misleading bill that funds staff to rubber stamp </p>
<p>institutionalizing youth in fraudulent and abusive residential programs<br />
while claiming to "reduce class size". The reduction in class size does<br />
not come from hiring more teachers and building more classrooms. It<br />
comes from taking poor and minority students out of their homes and<br />
communities and placing them in private detention centers. </p>
<p>While the arguments for and explanatory statement mislead voters, the<br />
bill itself is quite clear on this point, it says: </p>
<p>"Except as required for class size reduction funding provided under<br />
subsection (4)(f) of this section and as may be required under chapter<br />
28A.155, 28A.165, 28A.180, or 28A.185 RCW, or federal laws and<br />
regulations, nothing in this section requires school districts to use basic<br />
education instructional funds to implement a particular instructional approach<br />
or service. Nothing in this section requires school districts to maintain a<br />
particular classroom teacher-to-student ratio or other staff-to-student ratio or<br />
to use allocated funds to pay for particular types or classifications of<br />
staff." Source:<br />
<a href="http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/FinalText_578.pdf" title="http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/FinalText_578.pdf">http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/FinalText_578.pdf</a><br />
If you read the entire bill, the money is not going to hire more educators or<br />
improve school buildings. It is going to hire social workers, parent<br />
coordinators, and counselors. It clearly states that allocations for Special<br />
Education are not to be used in the district and/or are not required to be used<br />
by individual districts to hire proper special education support staff to work<br />
in the district, but, to cover outside placement costs for students they wish to<br />
deny a proper public education.</p>
<p><strong>Angela Smith 126 SW 148th St, Ste C100-422 Burien, WA<br />
98166 (877)845-3232 xt. 801 e-mail:<br />
angela@heal-online.org website: <a href="http://www.heal-online.org" title="www.heal-online.org">www.heal-online.org</a><br />
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Letters to the EditorMon, 27 Oct 2014 19:19:40 +0000cmenges246471 at http://www.highlinetimes.com